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Skin Peels Between Toes: Causes and Treatments

Do you experience skin peeling between your toes? What are the reasons or causes for this condition? The skin in between your toes could peel as a result of a number of possible reasons. It could be yeast or fungal infection. Peeling of skin and smelly feet or toes could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Understand more of this topic in this post. Find the treatment herein.

Causes of skin Peeling between Toes
Causes of skin Peeling between Toes

People with naturally dry skin are at the highest risk of having the skin between their toes peel. In most of the cases, the peeling will often be accompanied by other symptoms such as severe itching, foul smelling feet, and painful fluid filled blisters. There are different conditions that could be causing the peeling, the best way is to have your health care provider examine the condition as soon as possible.

Treating the underlying cause of the peeling is the best way to get rid and stop the peeling. Some of the causes such as athlete’s feet are highly contagious, in such cases, early treatment might help prevent the spread of the condition from those infected to those not infected. For mild cases of peeling skin, there are some effective self-care remedies you can use at home to relieve the symptoms and speed up the healing process.

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Skin peeling in between toes                

Skin peeling in between toes is can affect both adults and children causing pain, itching, and lots of discomforts. When the peeling is accompanied by smelly feet, it can be detrimental to your self-esteem, it is embarrassing and can be really annoying especially when out in the public.

Skin Peeling between Toes Picture
Skin Peeling between Toes Picture

In babies, peeling skin between toes can cause itching and excess pain which could lead to lots of discomforts and even lack of sleep, especially during the night. The peeling can also cause a lot of damage to the skin whether occurring only on feet or on both the feet and palm of the hand.

The peeling skin can be caused be a sign of an allergic reaction, a fungal or bacterial infection. In children, urgent medical attention should be sort as soon as possible. In adults, there some simple remedies that can use to manage minor cases of peeling, but if the peeling fails to stop, clear or keeps spreading, then urgent and specialized medical treatment should be sort.

What causes skin peeling between toes?

A common cause of peeling between toes is fungal or yeast infection caused by poor personal hygiene and excess sweating. This not only causes you’re your feet to peel, but also give a very unpleasant smell.

In some cases, the peeling can be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires being checked as soon as possible. In other cases, the peeling can be seasonal making it to increase and decrease seasonal depending on the environmental conditions.

Regardless of what the underlying cause of the peeling is, peeling skin between toes can make your feet look unsightly. When diagnosing the condition to establish the underlying cause of the peeling, your dermatologist will look at the spread of the peeling, the characters shown and other symptoms such as itching, dry skin, pain, swelling, painful blisters and whether or not the condition causes your feet to smell.

The most likely causes of peeling between toes in males or females and children are likely to be:

1. Toe box dermatitis

Common in children, this is a form of dermatitis caused by extreme temperatures and moisture found in the toe box of the shoe. This condition is primarily caused by the rubber, non-breathable toe box construction of some shoes.

It is quite common for boys and girls with common symptoms including the following:

  • Flaking and peeling of skin on all  the toes
  • Redness on feet
  • Ingrown nail might occur in some cases due to swelling

2. Trench foot

Trench foot is also a possible cause of skin peeling between toes. It is a painful condition of the feet caused by long immersion in cold water or mud. In most cases, this condition is often marked by blackening, peeling, and death of surface tissues.

Trench foot causes injury of the skin, blood vessels and the nerves of the fee. It is a common problem for soldiers serving in trenches, fishermen, and rice growers.

3. Harsh environmental conditions

It is true that exposing your skin to a harsh environmental condition such as extremely dry weather of cold robs the skin of the natural moisture. This leaves your skin dry and susceptible to peeling, cracking and in severe cases bleeding.

To prevent from peeling, ensure you wear a sun screen, apply a moisturizing cream and keep your feet clean and dry to prevent fungal infection especially in dry conditions.

4. Erythrasma

Erythrasma is a skin disease known to cause brown scaly patches. It is a bacterial infection common in people with diabetes, the obese and in warm climates.

When erythrasma is the underlying cause of the peeling, other symptoms will include the following:

  • Pink skin patches that  progress to brown
  • Webbed spaces between toes

5. Diabetes

Diabetes can affect any organ in the body. According to the ADA, about a 1/3 of those with diabetes will have some kind of skin condition. Some of these conditions will include infection (fungal, or bacterial), dry skin which causes your skin to peel and crack, and in some cases painful fluid filled blisters.

If you are diabetic, all you need to prevent the peeling is manage your diabetes well, this will involve staying informed with your body changes and seeking medical assistances immediately you notice something suspicious.

6. Frequent and aggressive washing

Washing your feet with aggressive soap robs your skin of the natural oils, this, therefore, leaves you skin dry and could eventually cause the skin between toes to peel.

Skin peeling between toes not itchy

Though not in all the cases, peeling skin between toes will often be accompanied by other symptoms such as itching, irritation and foul smelly feet. The sign and symptoms accompanying the peeling will, however, vary depending on what the underlying is.

In most of the cases, the peeling will often be accompanied by:

  • Cracking and scaling of feet
  • Softening and cracking of feet
  • Redness between toes and on feet
  • Severe itching
  • Irritation and burning sensation between toes

The location and the most environment between toes make them susceptible to both fungal and bacterial infection. There are different conditions that could cause the skin between toes to peel and not itchy.  Unless you take time to check this area, most of the times the peeling might go unnoticed.

Skin peeling between toes and not itching can be a sign of any of the following conditions:

7. Naturally dry skin

Temporary dry skin is quite common especially during winter. For some people, this can be a lifelong condition. In most cases, the signs and symptoms will depend on your general health, your age and where you live.

Common symptoms include:

  • Cracks on skin
  • Redness
  • Tight skin
  • Rough feet and skin
  • Mild itching in some cases

8. Allergies

An allergic reaction which is immune system response to foreign substances can also lead to peeling skin. For instance, if you are allergic to chlorine used in swimming pool, then using a public swimming pool can end up causing your feet to feel dry and crack. The same can also be seen in people who are allergic to some laundry detergents or some fabrics.

9. Dehydration effects

Dehydration effects is a common cause of peeling and cracking skin. You skin loose natural moisture to become dehydrated, this increases the risk of it cracking and peeling. Dehydration of the skin can occur on any part of the body especially those exposures to harsh environmental conditions.

Dehydration effect on skin is common in people who:

  • Wash their hands more frequently
  • Take long hot shower
  • Do not apply sun screen when going out
  • Spend a lot of time exposed to the wind or harsh sun

10. Cellulitis

This is a serious bacterial infection of the skin characterized by swollen, red area of the skin that feels hot and tender. This condition is not contagious from one person to the other but it can spread rapidly to other parts of the body.

11. Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common skin disease marked by red, patches and peeling skin. The actual cause of this condition is unknown however, doctors believe that emotional stress, exposure to diseases such as strep throat and some medication can trigger the symptoms of psoriasis.

Skin peeling between toes and smell

As said, skin peeling between toes will often be accompanied by different symptoms depending on what the cause of the peeling is.  The peeling might cause, pain, itching, irritation, discomforts and in some case cause your feet to produce a foul smell.

When the peeling causes your feet to smell, it is most likely to be a sign of any of the following conditions.

12. Athlete’s foot

Athlete’s feet is one of the most common fungal infection that affects the feet. Also called tinea pedis, this infection causes your feet to itch, peel, have a burning sensation and in some case have painful fluid filled blisters. This condition is very common and is known to cause your feet to have a foul smell.

The fungus that causes this infection grows best in warm, moist environment making your feet the best target for such an infection. The infection is very contagious occurring mostly in people who wear closed shoes and those fond of community baths and swimming pool.

The sign of this infection will vary from person to person. In most people, however, the symptoms will include:

  • Cracking, scaling, and peeling of the  feet
  • Redness of the feet skin
  • Painful fluid filled blisters
  • Severe itching and a feeling of burning sensation on feet.

Athlete’s feet can be of different types which include interdigital also called toe web infection, moccasin which often begins with minor irritation, itching and dryness and finally vesicular that begins with a sudden outbreak of painful fluid filled blisters according to WebMD.

To avoid misdiagnosing the condition, have your dermatologist perform the test. If the cause of the itchy peeling skin is athlete’s feet, then topical antifungal cream can be used to treat me in mild cases. In severe cases, oral antifungal medication may also be used to clear the infection. Keep your feet clean and dry always to prevent this condition.

13. Peeling skin syndrome

Smelly and peeling skin between toes can also be a symptom of a peeling skin syndrome. Peeling skin syndrome are a group of inherited skin disorders characterized by continues peeling skin. The condition not only causes peeling between toes but also on other parts of the body.

The condition is rare and can be sub divided into either non-inflammatory or inflammatory type. For the noninflammatory type, the peeling is not accompanied with itching. On the other hand, the inflammatory type can cause itching and irritation.

Peeling skin syndrome can be shown by the following symptoms:

  • Painless peeling of skin not only between toes but also on hands and feet
  • Fluid filled blisters on hand and feet
  • Peeling of the skin that  reassembles a severe burn
  • Itchy skin

How to treat skin peeling between toes naturally with home remedies

Treatment for peeling skin between toes will often vary depending on what the underlying cause is. The most common and effective treatment option will include the following:

1. Hydrating creams

Dry skin is a common cause of skin peeling. Applying hydrating creams on feet can help keep your skin hydrated thus prevent it from peeling.

2. Moisturizing lotion

Dry skin and dehydration can make the peeling worse. Leading to severe itching, irritation, swelling, and pain. If you are one of those people with naturally dry skin, then you can use a moisturizing cream to ensure your skin remains moist and healthy.

After a bath, always apply a moisturizing cream on your feet, making sure to penetrate between your toes to protect your skin from the risk of peeling.

3. Antihistamine creams for allergic reactions

When the peeling skin between your toes is a sign of an allergy, antihistamine medication will often be used. Depending on other symptoms and how strong the peeling is, antihistamine medication can be administered either orally or topically.

Allergic reaction should be treated as soon as possible, to prevent life threatening complications. Once you identify the allergen, you should avoid it to prevent future such symptoms.

4. Antifungal medication of yeast and fungal infections

For yeast and fungal infection causing your skin to peel, crack and itchy a broad course of antifungal medication can be used. Antifungals can be administered orally or topically as creams and gel.

For severe cause such as athlete’s feet, a combination of both oral and topical medication is recommended to effectively treat the infection.

5. Antibiotics for bacterial infections

When the cause of the peeling is a bacterial infection, then there is a broad spectrum of antibiotics you can use. For mild cases, topical antibiotic creams and gel can be used. For severe cases of bacterial infection, oral pills will be used.

Antibiotic medication can be used to treat underlying conditions such as cellulitis causing the peeling.

There some self-care methods and steps you can use to manage and protect your skin between toes from peeling. Naturally, you can protect against peeling skin by doing the following:

  1. You will need to keep your feet dry, and clean. You can do this by choosing the right socks and shoe. If you are one of those people who sweat a lot, ensure you wear ventilated shoes and socks made of cotton, not nylon or synthetic material.
  2. To relieve peeling feet, you can try to soak them in warm water. To make the remedy even more effective, add 2 tablespoons of kitchen salt and ½ a cup of apple cider vinegar
  3. After cleaning your peeling feet, you can apply natural moisturizing cream using olive oil, this will help relieve pain, itching and the peeling between your toes.
  4. in some case, the peeling can be a caused by conditions such as a sunburn, in such cases, applying a soothing gel such as Aloe Vera gel can be used for its cooling effect and great healing properties.
  5. When the peeling causes your feet to produce a foul smell, the mint juice is the natural remedy for you. This remedy can be used for fungal infections such as athlete’s feet to soothe the itching, burning sensation and get rid of the foul smell.

References:

Published in Skin